Ruffled

And Now For Something Absurd

2011-12-01T11:10:00.000-08:00

This blog tried to be sweet, even when it didn't feel like being sweet. It has come time to move over to something greener, perhaps even a bit unmowed. You can jump the fence here....come on over!

The Rainbow Connection

2011-07-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

Ever since I took the kids to see the original Muppet Movie a couple of weeks ago, I can't get Kermit's song out of my head. And this is it. I'm extremely overwhelmed, mostly because I'll have to stop working to move into my beautiful space. I just need to breathe through it, much like having a baby, the end will way outshine the means it took to get there...of course!

"Some day we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me."

And She Was A Beautiful Butterfly...

2011-06-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

this dress is in my shop, btw.

Head popping out of my cocoon now...let's see. Summer officially started, we went on a much need vacation and I've been walking around in a daze ever since. Today is the first day that I feel somewhat motivated to do something other than read a book. The summer daze is what I think I'll call it. And really the idea list is 1.8 miles long, the immediate pile is resembling a mountain...and the studio. Crap, I have to move into a new space! Super can't wait for that though. Haven't quite decided what I will do with my children this summer when I'm out in my studio....with the door locked....and my Ipod in my ears....ensconced. Do they make some kind of cam for that?

Sometimes a Girl's Gotta...

2011-05-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

...listen to the Stones. That's all. Back to work.

Maxism of the Day

2011-05-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

A little conversation snippet from the afternoon at the playground, between the Monkey and a kid he just introduced himself to:
Max: Why are you just sitting on this bench?
Kid: I got in trouble today for throwing rocks. Had to go to the principal's office.
Max: How many times have you been to the principal's office?
Kid: About twenty.
Max: Oh my god! Why else have you gone to principal's office?
Kid: I strangled a kid once on the playground.
Max: Oh my god!...tell me another reason.

This is my Monkey with his Domo (don't ask me...I am not seven). Anyhow, he sketched it, picked out the fabric, made a pattern, cut out teeth and mouth and selected the buttons. So proud....he and I {hearts}!

Re-Use, Re-New: A Follow Up

2011-05-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

I'm going to really make an effort to follow through with these....okay, you may remember this necklace? Tada! It holds up this dress nicely, don't you think? Not sure if my Granny made this or was just part of her stash (don't worry, I've kept several). Either way, thank you Granny! And if you can't get it out of your head and want it in your closet...for sale in my Etsy shop!

"Hard Boiled Mutt"

2011-05-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

That was written on the back of one of the twenty or so images that are contained in a fragile photo album that belonged to my Pawpaw. I've only just laid my eyes on this album a few weeks ago and I've looked through it about a hundred times since then. Tucked in the last page was an eighty year old newspaper clipping that mentions, in a paragraph only slightly bigger than a blurb, a very sensational crime that involved a kidnapping and brutal murder. So needless to say, I now have a gnawing desire to discover every piece of information I can find relating to this mystery. It has consumed me and will spit me out square in the middle of rural Mississippi. I need to go catch up on my Faulkner now. And yes, I'm feeling much better!

Gloom, Despair and Agony On Me

2011-05-15T04:45:00.000-07:00

This week I have: cried, fretted, yelled, slept too little, slept too much, made muffins, made costumes, have felt riddled with guilt and then rid of guilt, questioned my competency to create, parent and even exist. Pondered "is it all for nothing?" or "are the nothings everything?". Played martyr and apathetic asshole. I'm going to stop now before I launch into a Hee Haw song. Thank goodness for goofy children and "Ambiguously Gay Duo" on SNL last night that forced my face to crack a few smiles. Hi Monday....I need a hug!

You Just Got To Lego

2011-05-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Remember this Lego rant? Well, it wasn't really a rant. And I'm very aware that Legos are a common topic of blog rants. And I'm sure it would be safe to say that every fifth house in my hood shares the Lego experience. I just had to document this because I'm sure this moment will be fleeting. Although I finished this project on Sunday and it still looks like this. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I've commented a freakish amount of times, "Look what Mommy did!", "Can you believe I did that?", "How cool is this?"..."Don't you just want to play with them now?". All to which he smiles and nods nervously as he backs out of the door.

The Hardest Part...

2011-05-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

Ever. On earth. Hands down. Hand made by me. To this date, the most difficult. And the photos aren't doing it due to poor early morning light and an ill appearing fit on a not quite so hour glass dress form. But that's how proud of it I am...I'm posting them anyway. Silk charmeuse...matte side out...bias cut...floor length...built from a sketch. Anybody need one? I think I'm a pro now!

I WANT TO MAKE THIS!

2011-04-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

source

Seriously. Macramed chiffon. I've always wanted to learn how to macrame. Time to dig out the 70's Better Homes and Gardens craft books. Well that does it....and when I make it (my version), I'll do another 'Inspiration---->Interpretation' post. Check back, okay?

Under a Lego Haze

2011-04-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

How many mornings do you wake up to your kitchen table looking like this? I'd say every morning for us. Good thing I like Legos! He actually has a desk in his room now but it is so piled high with pieces, there isn't anymore room for assembly. I've gotten a couple of plastic stackable drawer thingys and one flat craft organizer (probably need more) and have more than once spent a whole day organizing piece by piece to find that it lasts maybe a week. The funny thing is, and he doesn't even 'know' this, he likes organization and won't just sit and build when it is as chaotic as it usually is. Hey Lego Lovers...how do you organize your Legos??

Treasures, Trinkets and Tawdries: A Week of Aquisitions

2011-04-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

Had some good luck thrifting this week! I only hit a few places in Austin because, frankly, they're picked over and I honestly don't have the time to properly dig. But then sometimes you luck into a bin that was possibly over-looked...this obviously being the case this week. The sequined applique stuff all were packaged with a label from a store called 'Hire's' and I was dying of curiosity. It took some major Google investigation, but they came from a fabric store that was apparently great in the Village in Houston...couldn't figure out when it closed but so happy that some of these little sparkleys made their way to Austin. That would have been a fun close-out sale! The trim is super-cool....it's a really delicate woven black, not really lace but has a dark gray scalloped edge. Working it onto a dress as we speak. And finally, the pearl rope lariat was another treat that came from my Granny's stuff. They were several different types and I'm of course keeping the majority of them, but this one I think I'm going to work into a dress. Look forward to showing them off as they take on a new life!

The Lion and the Scorpion

2011-04-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

I used Kodak but I'm now wishing I would have used Fuji...random thought.

The pictures really say it all....and lordy, it's so true! I shot some film last week, some for purpose and some for fun. Boy, I'm a little rusty. I'm excited about shooting more though. I have my Yashica twin-lens in the shop for repair and I've been dreaming of other film cameras I have my heart set on. I have to save me monies though. Funny how I'm so not used to the grain anymore...I found I wanted to take some out. And I found I'm not so good at spontaneous snapping with manual focus anymore either....hmmm, I used to be. It was fun though. More practice...or re-practice. Yes, I made up a word.

How about a 'Maxism' that came in last night: "Mom, I'm going to write a book called, 'Weird Thoughts That May Actually Happen'". Ha! We could probably all write that book, but most of ours should never be published, right?

p.s. I make prom dresses.

2011-04-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

Alli is the perfect customer. First of all, she's sweet. And then gorgeous. And when I asked her what type of dress she wanted to wear to her senior prom, she said, "Whatever you make I'll love!". How fun is that? And it was. There was a black and gold exposed zipper in the back that I wish I could show you, but that picture was crap unfortunately. All recycled fabric...hand-dyed...it was a 40 hour labor of love! I think I'll go take a nap now.

Watermelons and Pickles: A Spring Potpourri

2011-03-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

It's Spring down here in Texas, ya'll! And we've been BUSY! Aside from prom dress season, trying to keep stores stocked with fresh spring items and that studio erection {giggle, I'm a twelve yr. old boy, I know}, we've managed to let the children dictate some springtime activities as well. Because frankly, if you don't live or have never been to Texas...this delicious weather is fleeting. Soon enough we'll all be sweltering with the mosquitoes to soak in any sort of vitamin D. So this is a potpourri of a post....inhale, it smells gooood!!!


{please excuse the raunchy but reliable SUV in the background, best angle for sun, get it, right?}

{roof, on...but not on fire, don't freak me out!}


{new dress in the Etsy store...post prom dress pics later}

I'll leave you with a 'Maxism'. Haven't posted one in a while, and though they come in daily, they sometimes get lost after Mommy's evening glass of wine...oops!

"I'm going to go outside and make a wish. There's lots of dandelions in the yard right now."

Nostalgia Y Ephemera

2011-03-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

My parents are moving out of their house of only ten years or so. No big deal, really. Except that there was a room upstairs that my Granny Ola spent some of her last days. I miss her alot, for many reasons, but mostly because we just have so much in common. We share many of the same interests, now...{my} interests cultivated from her gentle guidance. My Mom was never able to go through her things after she passed, instead boxed everything for my wonderment when the time came. Going through it all, I think I've seen most everything, since I've been rummaging through her little tidbits and wares since I was about seven. There were a few surprises though...I haven't stopped tearing up since. Miss you Granny!

Do You Dye?

2011-03-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

I've always been a little gun-shy to get in the business of changing the colors of my fabrics and trims. And for obvious reasons, since I have forever been exposed to the same grocery store fabric dye that the rest of you have probably tried, with very unfortunate results. So if I was working on something that I had a particular vision for (and since I only reuse), I would just have to search every bin of all my local thrifts in hopes of finding that perfect shade of peach. My life has since changed....

I'm working on a dress now that was missing a chunk in the middle. I had this great piece of shantung, and although it was a fab fuschia color, I really needed it to be a dark lilac....

Enter these guys. They really have changed my life. I LOVE dying EVERYTHING....lace...trim...a piece that I should have thrown away ten years ago because it had a stain. And yes, I have heard that Dharma Trading and some others have these great dyes, but it always seemed like such a commitment to something I wasn't sure that I would do. My local chain craftstore...bingo...how did I make it this far without them! Seriously!

Now my fabric looks like this...

It's perfect, and it was a gamble too but the color is perfect. Can't wait to show you the dress!

Ummm.....Hells Yeah!

2011-03-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

And just in time for rodeo season. You will see this again. Yee haw!!

I Need a Citation for Blog Abandonment....

2011-03-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

I guess I just haven't felt like I've had anything exciting to say. I more or less feel like a hamster running in a wheel on MOST days. But this spring weather we're having down here in the TX definitely inspires new beginnings (wasn't that the name of Erica Kane's show on 'All My Children'?....and digress).

And then there is this:

There's nothing like a new backyard studio space to really pump your blood. Paint color picked and potted flowers on either side of the salvaged green door....we're not there yet. But it is so hard to get to sewing when I'm arranging shelves in my head. So here's to fresh starts, busy and inspired Springs, virtual chatter and taking charge (instead of reacting)! Cheers!

The Dress: Revised

2010-10-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

So visit the previous post if you need to catch up with THE DRESS. I had a major dilemma with this one. The top of this dress is hand smocked (look below for a close up), so it had to stay. The sleeves are raglan, which means that they meet all the way up to the neck, which is where the gorgeous, untouchable smocking was. It was just so tight to the neck, but I realized if I just took the hook and eye off the back and put in a pretty tie instead, it loosened the neck and change the whole look. The other problem with the dress was that it was sized 16, which is still probably a current size 12 or 14. And don't get me sideways....there is nothing wrong with those sizes, but with the waist as it was, it was very unflattering for that size. I could have cut into the sides but I was scared. So what? It just had to be a super flowy tent style dress, but it is short and sheer, so it takes the muumuu edge off. I was kinda hoping to make a completely different dress with the bottom part that I cut off, but after investigating, I noticed it had a major amount of pinholes. So I guess I'll still make it, but it will go into my closet for a holiday party. Because I have no problem wearing a fabulous dress with some pinholes. I'll post a pic when I do!

Treasures, Trinkets and Tawdries

2010-09-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

This dress! Oh my god! My heart raced as picked this off a rack at my fave thrifty last week, and I shoved it in my shopping bag really quickly, looking around like I needed to get away with it before someone said "No, wait, you can't buy that!". Why? I guess because it's that special and I can't believe it sat there undiscovered. The dress is by Hanae Mori, who opened her design house in Japan in the 50's, significant mostly because of her gender. She used alot of fine silks with gorgeous bird or butterfly motifs, and this dress is no exception. It is made of light as air chiffon and the print....well you can see for yourself. It is one of those pieces that I could have left as is....and really just let it sit in the closet because the style is a little dated. So I've gently taken it apart and check back today to see what it has become (really, I'm almost done!).

Inspiration---->Interpretation

2010-09-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

If you talk to any creative types, it's fun to find out that which inspires them and if you're lucky, you may get a glimpse of their creative path. My process is not nearly as evocative and mysterious. I tend to eat, sleep and breathe fashion via magazines and internet fashion shows, so my inspiration is usually fairly literal. Although, my best ideas have often times come from an intuitive place, i.e. closing my eyes in the shower. I work with found materials, pieces that have already existed, so the challenge for me is to transform what I already have into what inspires me. It's an organic move, but you could also call it random, willy-nilly and half-hazard. This is a theme I'd love to repeat, so I hope you like it!

Inspiration~

Interpretation~

Ta-Da

2010-09-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

And finally, a follow-up the the "Treasures..." post I did a few weeks ago. I promise when I do this again, I'll do it in a more timely fashion as to not be so anti-climatic (just don't make me pinky-swear!).

Can I just rant for a minute? Sometimes I so think I've got this 'work from home with an almost two-year-old' thing down. But most of the time I realize it's just a series of 'what will I neglect today'! For the last two weeks, it's obviously been the blog. And then when I finally think I have a second to work on this, I miss our well-baby check doctor's appointment. Really. Just realized it was an hour ago. How do you blogging mamas do it?

And Blogger has seemed to make this photo pixely for no reason. I think I'm done.

These Things Take Time

2010-09-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

So if you were following along, I posted a piece of fabric last Friday and asked you to check back the next day, which would have been Saturday, to see what it had become. And today is Wednesday. No picture.
Well, this is definitely a testament to my creative process....which usually goes like this: the fabric was cut for one thing that became something else that really needed an embellishment which sent me on a terror through Austin until I found the perfect thing. And I did find the perfect thing.....so now, please check back tomorrow to really see what it has evolved into.

In the meantime, do you want to see something adore.bell that I made for a client? Here's the deal...she sent me a bunch of stuff from her closet that she didn't wear, some fabric and trimmings that she picked up here and there and let me go to town. It's been really fun and challenging!

Treasures, Trinkets and Tawdries

2010-08-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

I know. Another one. I just couldn't help myself. And this will be fun, because there will be a follow up! So what is this beautiful pile of chaos and color? It is {get ready} four yards of vintage SILK!! Now if you are not a vintage fabric shopper, you will probably not geek out with glee like I am over this. Here's the deal, it's pretty easy to find vintage fabric...vintage polyester...no problem. Noone wants the stuff. But silk? Never! Especially in this town with so many crafty types. And here is the best part: $4. You really have to be a vigilant archaeologist type, like the 'Chasing Mummies' guy on the History channel, to uncover good finds in this town....and when you do...WEEEEE!

So what's next? Figuring out what to do with this beauty. And I have! So please...check back tomorrow to see what it has become!

Things That Make Me Smile

2010-08-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Well, this.

And this: so last night, my Monkey and I were coming home from a bike ride and we were approaching a super busy intersection. And there was a guy that was about to cross perpendicular from us. And just as he stepped off the curb, a Honda Accord that was jazzied up to look like a muscle car but still had primer on it...you know what I'm talking about...sped up to the intersection and made wheelies while it turned, almost knocking the poor guy on his ass. So as he crossed behind the car, he did that sort of {ahem} masturbating motion with his hand while he shook his head. Of course, this well-preserved motion was definitely appropriate for this douchebag....but I haven't seen anyone do that since like 1989! Am I right? I think I'm going to file it away though and may just whip it out the next time someone pisses me off!

Treasures, Trinkets and Tawdries.

2010-08-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

This is little post I'm calling...well, I guess I already called it (I especially like the word 'tawdry'). And it will be semi-regular, as in hopefully once a week and maybe more? It all depends on how many thrifting itches I need to scratch in that given week. Like alot of chickas I know, I've been thrifting since I was about 12 so by the time I could drive, I was really good at it. And living outside of a major city, I really covered some territory. I still have a few things from those formative years, like some amazing square-toed chocolate brown boots that I may just have to be buried in.

So this first of firsts probably doesn't look like much...it's more of a nostalgic find that made me feel a little squishy and teary. Do you know what they are? I found them in a precious little handmade vintage shirt, snapped together and pinned to either inside, right about where the sleeve meets the body. When I was a little girl, I had a wonderful Granny Vickers, who I was not really related to but was an old family friend. She was a crazy Czech gypsy and we spent lots of summers together swimming, fishing, playing cards. And whenever she would change clothes, say from her day outfit to her bathing suit, she would always say to herself, "Can't forget my glycerin pills". And she would unpin that ribbon, which was snapped around a tiny brown bottle and pin it to the inside of her suit. It's one of those weird details that I can remember so vividly and didn't really even know what she was doing and why. I guess this little lady didn't need them anymore. I think I'll hang onto them, although I'm sure by the time I'm elderly and having chest pains, you will probably be able to get some type of medical transfusion from your IPhone!

Maxism of the Day

2010-08-24T04:18:00.000-07:00

So at the end of last school year, Max got diagnosed with Asperger's (which is a word that will go away and be replaced with Autism Spectrum Syndrome, I am told). He just turned seven. I want to mention that now, just in case anyone may read this blog that wants to connect about this. Ten months ago when the word was first brought up, I had to go home and spend a few hours on the internet but what unfolded there to me was pretty amazing. "He does that...omg...he always does that...holy cow...he's done that since he was two." I'm sure like alot of parents feel the first time it's addressed, there was so much relief in the validation. While dealing with this syndrome influenced behavior is trying---like gulp-two-glasses-of-wine-really-fast trying---sitting back and enjoying the fascinating aspects is, well, fascinating. One of those fascinating characteristics is the many, many off-topic conversations Max will engage in throughout the day...with anyone, willing participant or not. And by off topic, I mean that there could be a conversation taking place, and knowing the topic, Max will join in....sometimes interrupt...with a sentence that has absolutely nothing to do with that conversation. Or just in silence, he will break in with some crazy, off-the-wall paragraph...maybe something that happened two years prior...and you just go "how did he just get there?".

So this one came while lying in bed and we were talking about a kid that is in his new second grade class that was also in his kindergarten class and who he really didn't particularly like.

"And you know what's really great?" "What?" "Girls don't sweat!" "Really?" "No, they don't! That is lame! They must be cold-blooded or something!"

Please, if you read this blog and have or know Asperger's (I think I'm going to keep using this word), don't hesitate to comment. I'd love to hear from you.

Summer: The Official Blog Killer

2010-08-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

At least around here it is. As Mama's Summer Camp comes to a close, the thoughts of that school bell ringing bright and early Monday morning has me buzzing like I've been bathed in cold spring water. I was going to post some vacations, projects, this and that....but I am so over it, I think instead I'll just pay homage to summer and leave it at that. Seriously though, just the anticipation of these semi-free hours (so far no daycare plans for the littlest Peanut) has had me brimming with some crazy ideas. Things I've NEVER done before...so I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, here's to summer (*clink*)...I will miss you...maybe the second Friday in December...that's it, I'll close my eyes on that day and reminisce and smile. Until then!

The Big Hiatus

2010-06-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

OMG! I can't believe it's been 2.5 months since I've been here. Wow! And now I only a have a few while the Big Daddy is out on a bike ride on his Big Day (Happy Father's Day Daddies...btw!). So here we go...quickly! I guess I should first explain the hiatus. You see, the last post was slap in the middle of spring, which, here in Texas, is a pretty important season. Spring offers very few months here that you can sit and enjoy your back yard, before the blazing temperatures set in and mosquitos so big they could likely cart off my toddler. Spring is also the time for us designers to make fun, fresh, sell-it-while-you-can fashion. I was buried! And I've always thought of myself as a good multi-tasker from years of waiting tables and the few I've logged in as Mommy. But apparently I'm not. I can't even read on the toilet! I just don't know how you good blogging ladies do it. Maybe you require less sleep than I do (ahem!). And then there was end of school frenzy, a much needed vacation (which I will post tomorrow...PROMISE!), throw in an Asberger diagnosis and a hyperventilation attack so bad I had to spend some time in the back of an ambulance and rethink every bad habit I own...and all of that makes for one whirling dervish.

But now...ahh...summer, the season of lazy days and swimming pools. The list is still quite long, but I can add blogging back to it. And back to some regularly scheduled programming, for those one or two that may have missed Maxisms, film scans and this and that coming out of my sewing room. I'm scheming too, now that I have time and that's my absolute fave thing to do. Scheming those projects that can come to fruition when it's time to shed the swimsuits and get back to business.
Anyways...glad to be back!

Unrequited Love

2010-04-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

"Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love."---Charlie Brown
....isn't that the truth...

Not that I'm necessarily experiencing this at the present moment, but I have....many, many, many times. And while I was making this dress, I couldn't stop thinking that this is the dress that I would wear to that party. You know, the party that you know he'll surely show up at and you want to make him eat shit for not picking you. Fortunantely, a really good one has picked me for now, so I don't really need to go to that party.

Can I tell you some little bits about this dress? I found the top at a local thriftshop that had advertised "We have VERY old clothes". And they actually did and they were all in amazing shape. Almost like they came right off of a 'factory' floor post-industrial revolution, stored away in an attic trunk that was opened only once 100 years later and dropped off at this little thrifty. It was fairly spectacular. This particular piece had the label "H &W Sheathlyne" and the only info Google produced was that it was a sort of post-corset undergarment targeted to young girls enticing them to ditch their "Mom's" style corset. So it is flatteringly fitted without being suffocating. And I love, love hook and eyes.

The skirt part of the dress contains old collections of this and that but I have to tell you that I did cut up my lace Madonna scarf from the 80's. That I actually bought in the 80's. And wore in the 80's. Yikes. It was time though, I was ready to let it go. Because you really need to look good at this party!

Off the Radar

2010-03-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

Wow...I had to duck out for a while. And this really is a testament to my personality: introduce a new object for fascination, and I will pursue with rigor and determination. I will lose sleep, lose endless hours searching blogs and generally obsess until I think I know everything there is to know. Which is exactly what has happened to me the last few weeks when I found out that going gluten and dairy free would be the best thing for my son. What? A life without butter has always been a life not worth living in my books. I'm a foodie and my style is Southern with a heavy dose of French. We're talking Coq Au Vin with a side of biscuits. So this was a challenge but one that I embraced, because apparently this phenom has been happening all around me for some time. And some very talented chefs/cooks/moms/celiacs have tried their best to make food taste like it did when it involved wheat and dairy.

So needless to say, in the last ten days I have made banana bread, coconut chocolate chip cookie bars, blueberry crumb cake, quinoa breakfast bars, carrot raisin cake, CF/GF mac and cheese (not a big hit), herbed crackers and bread (had never made bread in my life, but the store bought tasted like ass). I have spent a small fortune, but now my pantry is full of millet, sorghum, rice, sweet rice, buckwheat and quinoa flour. And don't forget xanthan gum, potato and tapioca starch and almond meal. I could have had lovely photos of all of this delicious food, but I don't know....I just didn't want this to become a food blog.

So there you have it. It has consumed me and I, it. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

RIP Alexander McQueen

2010-02-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

Wow! You really moved me over the years and today you moved me to tears. Take care!

And on the 100th day....

2010-02-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

I felt like I gave birth this week...to this dress. I toiled, labored, fussed and grew this dress and it took months. Now I'm ready for it to grow wings and fly to it's new home. For sale in my Etsy store.

Completely Obsessed

2010-01-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

Fendi Spring 2010 RTW. You have to go to style.com to see the whole thing. Normally during NY Fashion week, I am obsessively checking that site to see who's coming down the runway that day. I find it refreshing, amazing and inspiring. I don't look at all of them though, I have my faves. And I swear I don't think I looked at this one...until two days ago. This just speaks to every aesthetic that I possess. Where I have been the last month? Gathering, cutting, arranging, beading and sewing bit by bit to produce some pieces for spring that strangely look alot like Fendi. So if I post some items that resemble Fendi...I guess Karl and I were on the same page.

Means to an End

2010-01-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

One might think after the last post, the follow-up might be a little more upbeat. It's going there, I swear.
There is beauty in decay and while I know this reeks of cliche, this daily discovery is my resolve for 2010. In those really really rotten moments, I hope to find the beauty.

Some meta-info? Discovered on a friend's ranch in SouthTexas some years back, this is what the hands do with murdered cows and their murdered perpetrators. They throw them in a pile and let them wile away the time. Film was Tmax 400, of course. Gosh it's so much easier to add contrast in photoshop.

Don't Let That Door Hit You in the Arse on Your Way Out

2010-01-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

And yes, that is how I feel about you, 2009. I've really been putting off this post because I truly didn't want to sound so completely negative. But yet, it's true. And I don't want to just sit here and whine and complain because I know I'm not the only one and at least we're not huddled under a bridge trying to stay warm eating pork and beans out of a can. But yet, I honestly don't remember reflecting on a past year with such angst as I do this one and it's my life and that's how I feel about 2009.

I will absolutely not put you through the whole laundry list of crap, but I guess I do need to vent. I must first say thank the heavens for my family who makes me laugh several times a day and without them I would definitely be on an ace inhibitor. My children are a joy, for the most part. But that's just it. I am just not the kind of mommy that can just be ok engrossed in the mommy moment 24/7. Although I find that very worthy and I wish I could, I'm just not that kind of mom. We are lucky in the sense that my guy got a paycut in 2009, and we discovered that the bills still get paid even with my limited contribution. However, I just don't feel validated or successful unless I'm getting paid for what I do. So that being said, I just couldn't find the balance this year. I could not find the balance between engaging my new baby now one year old so she doesn't have the aspirations of a grifter or some other societal degenerate and my six year old who "we would like to test for aspergers or some other that falls into the autism spectrum disorders". And what is that like with the monkey, you ask? Well, it's like two year old tantrums that continue on into year six...four years of tantrums. And I guess this year I've hit a wall and I welcome the tests because at this point I'm at a loss.

And my serger broke and I had three cameras break.

See...better now. And now that I have it all written down, it looks petty. So what was good, other than the laughs...because there were some notes that rang through very clear. One was this blog...I've had it on the list for a couple of years. I've never been a big writer in terms of meaningful prose in a journal, but I've always been a jotter and this seems to be a good place to jot and catalog. Cross it off the list. The other is that I've had time to sit around and daydream about work and I've come up with two very specific photo projects that I will start...hopefully this month, so stay tuned. And I turned 40 and that was actually quite exciting for me. It's very definitive age and it has a sort of "don't fuck with me" attitude.

2010, I look forward to you...I want a big hug. I think we will be very close. If I could have one more thought...and this is for the decade...could we please find a cure for cancer, because that sucks most of all!
thank you!

Spreading the Cheer!

2009-12-20T06:31:00.000-08:00

Whew, Christmas, right? I think that's all I need to say about that cause I know everyone feels this. I catch myself a little jealous of those that are beginning to gather and relax with family, since this family works until the last second. Although, really, I know I'd be over it by Christmas Eve.
So I snapped this pic of the kiddos yesterday. And I set it up the same as last year's pic, out of sheer laziness for the most part. But I think it's just crazy to see how fast they grow in that first year...crazy! And just when I was thinking that I really just push it until the last minute to have these printed for cards that really should go out tomorrow if they have any chance to make it before the big day, I looked at the metadata of both pics and I took these on the same day, Dec. 19th, within 30 minutes of each other. At least I'm consistent and it's crossed off the infinity list.

Earlier in the week, we crossed off 'picture with Santa Claus'. In the big city, Santa lives at the mall and the nearest one to us is a little, shall we say, ghetto (is that offensive? probably). So we weren't sure what to expect, grumpy Santa at the least. We were so pleasantly suprised to find that Santa was not only jolly, but had a real beard and turned up mustache. So the monkey saddles up on his lap and actually looks a little stunned at first, says he forgot what he wanted for Christmas, but surely Santa received his list that he mailed like two weeks ago and everything was right there written down in black and white. So then Max reminds Santa about the phone conversation they had the other night and Santa nudges Max to remind him the topic of the conversation, explaining that he's just been so busy, it's a little fuzzy.

Monkey: "You know...when you fart, it means that you probably have to go to the bathroom." Just like that, all calm and earnest.
Judging by Mark's beet red face, Max apparently, unbeknowst to me, had a conversation with 'Uncle Santa' (aka. bro-in-law) extensively about this very thing. And well, Santa forgot but got quite the chuckle when he was reminded!

Can We Blog, Please?

2009-12-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

So I could have titled this post "A Charlie Brown Christmas"....in fact, there will be a few "Maxisms" thrown in here is well. But it's been a few days and things have been piling up. I've been really busy trying to salvage a grace or two from this holiday economy and show my wares at a few holiday markets. So far it's been pretty dull, hence the Charlie Brown reference. I used to feel like him and worry about the commercialization of Christmas and when to say enough is enough, losing the true meaning and all of that. But thank you to the barren wasteland known as my checking account, we won't have to worry about that too much. Honestly though, you can talk until you're blue (or red or whatever color you turn when you say the same thing over and over) about giving vs. receiving and actually donate a coat or a toy, but it really remains all about Santa and the presents. Now don't get me wrong, we adults in the house do reap the benefits of Santa watching his every move in the month of December. We just hope he doesn't wake up Christmas morning and feel like it was all for nothing.

So an example of that to which I am speaking...
Max's 'persuasive letter to Santa' as told to me by his 1st grade teacher:

Dear Satan,
I've been some good and I've been some bad.

But there is one other element of Christmas worth mentioning....the child loves him a Christmas tree. Loves it! And I would have had a picture of the Peanut too, but her life's mission is to take ornaments off the tree and well, the paparazzi is trying not to encourage that behavior. So I'll leave you with last year's photo as well...our Christmas baby couldn't even see the tree!

Even though I sound all bah humbug, I really am into it...so more pics to come! I think I'm just grumpy because I've decided to drink less wine and diet, smack in the holidays...I know, it's f-ed up and I don't know what's wrong with me.

Crap, almost forgot one more (see, seriously piling up):

Max (after finding the Peanut fisting a tampon the she dug out of my purse, opened and commenced to sucking on the end and yes, I let her): "No Chloe, don't pull the string or the firework will explode!"

If a Tree Falls in the Forest...

2009-12-04T06:44:00.000-08:00

A couple of phrases come to mind every time I write one of these blogposts. One is 'if a tree falls in the forest, does anyone hear?' The other, as if sitting across a table staring the first one in the face is 'dance like noone is watching'.

Today I think I'm dancing!

ps. The peanut clearly will not indulge me in this type of photo for one second---in fact, she flat out refuses. I think I'll rename her lil' hussy.

pss. The big Canon is in the shop, so the challenge is to take compelling photos with the p&s. I really like this challenge and have some p&s photos that I would put in my portfolio. This is not one of them. Although, the blown out highlights really blow out the wrinkles!

and the post scripts continue. (too much nog and coffee) Notice how the 2pm sun really gave me some nice butterfly studio lighting. That nose shadow trails down 1/3 of my face...wow. I would take the lil' hussy outside right now and attempt to reenact this magnificent photo since it is nice and overcast outside, but it's supposed to start snowing here any second. What's that you say? Yes, you heard me, snow, right here in Austin, Tx.

Maxism of the Day

2009-12-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

Prompted by an impending playdate with his 'best friend in the whole wide world'...

Monkey: "Mom, can we have some hot chocolate? And then we can get all cozy like the Native Americans drinking our hot chocolate by the fire out of bear skin mugs!"

Me: "Sure."

Film Photo of the Day

2009-11-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

I think this is the only shot I've ever taken in fog. Is it? And I can't find the neg~~{confessions of an unorganized and forgetful mama}. But I'm pretty sure it's Kodak HD 400 again, since I was out of the big city and only had limited film choices. Anyway, back to the fog. I love how the fog makes a big softbox over the sun, but then you open up the bottom of the diffuser a bit to let a little of the raw bulb come through. That's where the light hits his hands as the fog hadn't gathered inside the boat. I wonder how a digital would have handled this scenario...

Maxism of the Day

2009-11-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Pie for breakfast...enough said!

Film Photo of the Day

2009-11-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

Does every photographer have a railroad track photo? Probably. So here's mine. Kodak Tri-X Pan 400=the perfect grain.

New Top in my Etsy Store!

2009-11-20T06:55:00.000-08:00

Ch-ch-check it for a limited time only. I'm adding some new items for the weekend. If you miss out, don't fret...they will just be across the way at Root in the beautiful Fredericksburg, TX.

Maxism of the Day

2009-11-20T04:37:00.000-08:00

Monkey: Mom, I want some of that stuff, you know, that you carry in your back pocket when you get married. You know...you go 'shhh shhh' (finger up to mouth, like he's spraying something)

Me: Mouth spray?

Monkey: Yeah, mouth spray. So when you get a kiss, you have nice, minty breath.

And there you have it...men, take note!

Film Photo of the Day

2009-11-18T04:21:00.000-08:00

So this is obviously a self-portrait, and for me, there is really only one thing that dates this photo (besides the post-college decor). Do you see it? No, not the camera, my beloved Pentax K1000. I could see any current photo student having to pick up this guy...completely manual and a superb learning tool. Yes!...the tv with a little corner of a boom box peeking out on top.
And the film? TMAX 4oo with a perfect amount of grain. I must say though, that my original neg was a little flat. You could manipulate contrast in developing the film, and if you missed your mark on that, then you could print on paper with varying contrasts. So I just bumped it up in PS and that's about all I did.
I don't have many self-portraits...note to self: 2010=more self-portraits.

It's Upright and Proper

2009-11-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I'm just now posting this. The 'nut' has actually been upright for a while. And then, she took her first steps a few days before her first birthday. But then it was so anti-climatic...where the monkey took his first step, then took off and never looked back, or down, this one has been a little more cautious. Like she's just too ladylike to want to fall down and make a big spectacle of herself (conjures up image of a drunk sorority girl still wearing her heels well past midnight...oh, that could be MY sorority girl...ouch). Oh, and don't even ask her to do this in the yard or maybe in the park...strictly an inside job. My face looks just like her's every time she does this!

Film Photo of the Day

2009-11-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, before I tell you about the film and the camera and all of the technical stuff, I have to give a disclaimer so I don't piss anyone off. I get that shock-value for artsake is sort of ridiculous to a degree and yes, I do have empathy for anyone who has to get around on anything but their two legs and the prejudice that they may encounter. But I have to say that my friend here was in a car accident, broke her tailbone and was forced by her doctor to travel in a wheel chair for three months. She was very much affected every time she went out in public, she is an artist and this is how she wanted to document it. I was the one with the camera and we had some fun with it. I must say that I think anyone and everyone deserves a beautiful portrait of themselves, no matter what condition they are in, that speaks to their spirit at that moment. So there...I get defensive, can't help it, I'm a Gemini. And yes, I know it is a composition in the dead center of a square, but I like it that way...see...defensive!
So onto less subjective stuff...this was shot on Kodak Verichrome Pan 125. It was an amazing B&W film...velvety smooth with a contrast that you could completely manipulate just in the developing time. I shot this with a Yashica-Mat 120 that obviously had a light leak, because the top third of the neg was underexposed in a perfect line. I remember just burning the heck out of it to make a print in the darkroom....and oh, Photoshop, walla! If squint on the top of this photo, you can sort of see the line, and I like it!

Maxism of the Day

2009-11-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

Monkey was supposed to be taking a bath but when I went to check on him, he was sprawled out on the edge of the bathtub, butt-neked, staring at the floor.

Me: "What are you doing?'

Monkey: "Um...well...Darth Vader just killed Frosty the Snowman."

Film Photos of the Day

2009-11-05T04:16:00.000-08:00

So sorry it's taken me a while to post one of these. I'm starting the process of having film high res scanned from my archive (that would actually be 5 notebooks of film sleeves and contact sheets in chronological order....see, an archive). And we're digging back...way back. So today, as you can see, I bring you two because, well, they are definitely a pair. This was shot on Kodak PRN, probably 100 speed and I'm guessing on a Hasselblad 6x6. I can't remember...fuzzy. I do remember laughing my ass off though.

The Peanut Turns One!

2009-11-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

Well, my littlest peanut turned one yesterday. And I'm not going to try and come up with something super poignant to say here. It's all been said so well on every mommyblog across the internet and if you're a mom, you just know. We really enjoyed the day with tears, cupcakes and champagne. I will be honest though...every one of the peanut's birthdays will probably be a little bittersweet just knowing that she will most likely be my last little peanut. And even though we've really tried to relish, laugh and marvel at every moment, I'm a little mad at time for flying by so fast.

Maxism of the Day

2009-11-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

Whew! What a weekend! And I have two actually. And since this weekend was everything Halloween, of course these these are as well. Enjoy.

Monkey: "Mom, I'm sad."
Me: "Why are you sad?"
Monkey: "Because it's almost November."
Me: "Why sad because it's almost November?"
Monkey: "Because it means Halloween will be over."

So this one, you have to picture us on a very populated trick-or-treating street. And Max spots Darth Vader across the way and starts to run towards him. Now this is no kid in a costume. This is a 7 ft. tall grown man in a Darth Vader suit straight off the movie set. And as you can see, my C3PO carries a laser gun, which he points straight up and says, "Darth Vader, I've been looking for you" (to the top of lungs, mind you).

Darth Vader (after a chuckle): "You can't kill me, I made you."

Monkey (after some reflection): "Oh."

Too. Much. Fun!

2009-10-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

So gosh...absolutely have not checked in for a while. I guess I've been busy...sewing for a big holiday sale I am involved in, editing photos, major project scheming, Halloween prep and holy crap...my peanut is about to turn one (pics to follow later). And well...life and oh that dreaded fun...yes, that is what I've been up to. For example, look at that face...fun is just oozing out of every pore.

Maxism of the Day

2009-10-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

Wow...it's 8am and this one has already come in...any more and I'll have to save them up for the weekend.

Monkey: "What if Dora the Explorer were naked?"

Me: "Why would she be naked?"

Monkey: "I don't know...but what if she was naked and she tried to climb over a tree and got her heinie stuck on a branch?"

FILM Photo of the Day

2009-10-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

Again, Fuji. I swear I'm digging way back for the next twenty or so cause I'm feeling a little one note. And yes, this seemingly sullen pre-teen (not so, just her adorable model-face) is surrounded by blue and green, but Kodak would have washed the whole experience over with a sunny haze...which could have been just as nice!

Maxism of the Day

2009-10-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Me: "Which kind do you want?", peering into a multi-box of Drumsticks.
Monkey: "My favorite is the cement, but I think they are all gone."
Me: "Mint?"

Maxism of the Day

2009-10-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

So this is a little post I'm going to call the 'Maxism' of the day. And they may not come in every day, but as is daily life with the monkey, they probably will.

On to it..."So Mom, how do you pee without a penis?"

Me: "Well, I pee from my vagina."

Max: "You pee from a furrygina?"

Your welcome.

And this might as well be a FILM photo post as well...Fuji Superia 200. If this was Kodak, the skin tone would have more of a gold cast, whereas Fuji always had a little more blue.

Multi-tasker really should be the only description I need to use in my 'about me' section!

Panties!

2009-10-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have your attention right? So let's go back to the beginning of Ruffled--clothing. When I first started making and selling wholesale and consignment, I made everything exclusively from vintage scarves. That was fun, I still have a whole wall of them and I still use them alot. So I recently designed these little guys as a proposal to a new 'repurpose a scarf' book coming from Larkbooks. You like? They are made completely from scarves...wish me luck!

So you may be wondering...

2009-10-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

Where is the fashion portion of this blog (and, well, maybe you weren't, but let's pretend)? I do make things...I make one-of-a-kind pieces for girls of all sizes. It's kind of a found art thing, since I use thrifted fabrics and trims, and definitely a labor of love thing. I've been doing it for a while, about as long as photography, although unlike photography, I did not go to school for fashion design (hence the labor of love part). So this top was inspired by a vintage Gunne Sax that I've had in my closet for a long time and it really---I don't know---speaks to my aesthetic. If you find yourself in Fredericksburg, tx. in the beautiful hill country, you must stop at my friend Cassell's store, Root, which is many things, but mostly adorable. And there you will find this top (ok, give me a week.)

And I am very busy with this sewing thing right now...economically speaking, the holidays are a good time for me. BUT...I'm also working on a photo idea that I really had hoped to roll out before the holiday rush. It's an idea that combines my two loves...fingers crossed. I don't know, something...or should I say someone...is stifling my productivity. Can't imagine...who...that...could...be....

FILM Photo of the Day

2009-10-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hi! Well, I think this is one of my favorite images from my archives of all time. I think the emotion speaks for itself...right? It's love, in case you're not feeling it...I'm sure if you dig around in your own mental archive, you can pull one up yourself. And speaking of love, did you not love that old, reliable TMAX 400? Such a nice, perfectly contrasted b&w. Loved it!

FILM Photo of the Day

2009-10-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

Well, well...this one seemed a little much for a Sunday so I waited until I felt it was time to wrap it up. The shoot was for a jewelry client....that necklace is gorgeous, isn't it? This was shot on the beloved Kodak VC 400 on my beloved Mamiya 6x4.5. Bye-bye Mamiya...I traded you in for a digital, didn't I? I don't regret it...I don't. But, I think I just won my new medium format on some ebay gamblin'.

FILM Photo of the Day

2009-10-08T06:15:00.001-07:00

Hi there...so this is a fun pic of my monkey with my last working polaroid that no longer works (sigh!). This again was shot with Kodak HD 400 and then I goofed on it a little bit in Lightroom...a little cross-process effect. Enjoy!

FILM Photo of the Day

2009-10-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Oh, you heard me right...I said film, people. Well, I wanted to do a sort of take on the Photo of the Day, which already seems to have a presence in the blogworld. And I'm in the process, the tedious process, of digitally archiving selections of my film stacks. You see, I've been shooting professionally (we'll use that term loosely since for some reason or another I've never made a decent living from it) for about fifteen years and was probably one of the last photographers in the western hemisphere to switch over to digital. I just loved film, and I KNEW film, which was the primary reason. So I have lots---notebooks, portfolios, plastic storage bins---lots. So the goal, internets, is to post one a day and I'll tell you what kind of film it is...sound good?

This is Kodak High Definition 400 speed...not a totally exciting film but you could buy it at the grocery store, which came in handy when you lived in a small Texas town without a camera store and you needed some on the fly. So I thought it was pretty good all around film for that. Not much in the way of photoshop here...just a tiny bit of color saturation...those lips pretty much read that red on this film (and basically just were in the flesh).

So let's have fun...nostalgia!

Overwhelmed.

2009-10-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Seriously overwhelmed. Hyperventilating. Ov.er.whelmed.

So I sunk into my chair in front of my computer last night after a long work-filled weekend, wine glass in hand, ready to surf. I had recently discovered a few photography blogs with pretty pictures...and I just wanted to look at pretty pictures. But then you can't help yourself, you do it, you start reading text. And you're reading and reading and it's so interesting and everything you think is interesting is linked to something else. And you do it, you just keep clicking those links and page after page, you're discovering more and more, delving deeper and deeper. And of course you do, you definitely have another glass of wine as you bookmark site after site. And before you know it, it's midnight and you're exhausted and you know you must go to bed because your littlest peanut always wakes up at 5am...but your heart is racing, I mean racing. So you turn it off, just turn it off and go and lay down in your comfy bed, but your heart is pounding and the lists are just firing off in your head. So you do it, you just get back up, you turn the computer back on and start scratching down a to do/wish/get off your ass and just do this already list in the the light of the monitor. So the last thing that popped in your head before you leapt out of bed was that time in '98 when you were hired on to photograph a music industry party and somehow you got suckered into photographing Patti Smith at Austin City Limits (the place, not the event)---which is fine and all---except that you way underbid for that, was already handed a check and just when you thought you would sneak out of there with all of the film in a paper sack, the mean guy jumps into the elevator behind you and demands you hand over the sack of film (yes, film, people). And so gosh, it's been at least five years since you did a search on those pictures that you never saw, surely they will turn up at some point. And as soon as you type the words into the Google space, the peanut stirs and you fly to the kitchen to make a ba-ba before she wakes the whole house. Must.lie.down.
So you do, and I did, and did eventually fall asleep but it just didn't go away. And so today, it's turned itself into a major wish list of things I think I need to make myself rich and famous to the tune of about $450.

So I think I'm finally starting to calm down. Now I'm just staring at this fabric that I found last week at my favorite thrift store located in an undisclosed part of the Texas hill country. And I think I'll kiss that little face...that helps refocus. Because really, I have done alot...and I have alot, I do!

Now...what to do with that fabric...wouldn't it be so cute as a tiny little dirndl for that tiny little peanut...it is October. Uh oh.

Sneakpeek for a Friend

2009-10-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Oh this just has to make your day! And there are many, many more.

A Couple of Things That Made Me Smile Today...

2009-10-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

Kissing a baby's nose...and I don't mean just a peck on the nose, but putting that whole button in your lips...and you could just eat it, it's so cute.
And finding a Lego Storm Trooper randomly placed on the kitchen counter...by the coffee maker, like it's protecting it...'don't come near or I'll shoot'...(except I don't think they talk.)
And these are some things that make me smile daily...or hourly!
And yes, I do other things besides post pictures of my family.
Stay tuned!

Me Have Pretty Blog Someday...

2009-09-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

Ok. So. This is blogging attempt number 2. I don't know what I am resisting actually...maybe its fear of the blank page. So where to begin? Not at the GREAT beginning (I wouldn't do that to you), but since this is a blog about me, why not start there? I am a mother of two adore.bells, I sew and I take pictures. So that makes this blog about family, fashion and photos...my three loves (heart)! I am not a writer...but that's ok, right?
I think a few photos should follow and maybe I'll start to get over my shyness.